U.S. patent application number 13/142298 was filed with the patent office on 2012-02-23 for identification tag.
Invention is credited to Brian Eadie.
Application Number | 20120043387 13/142298 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40352570 |
Filed Date | 2012-02-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120043387 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Eadie; Brian |
February 23, 2012 |
IDENTIFICATION TAG
Abstract
An identification tag (10,100) is provided which comprises a
first body portion (12), a second body portion (14) and a web
portion (13) located between the first and second body portions
(12,14). The web portion (13) permits the second body portion (14)
to be pivoted relative to the first body portion (12). The tag
(10,100) further comprises a drive member (26,126) projecting from
the first body portion (12). The drive member (26,126) has a drive
surface (32,132) adapted to be driven, in use, by a tag loading
mechanism of a tag applicator. A lock (16,22) is also provided on
the tag (10,100) to lock the free ends of the first and second body
portions (12,14) together after application. The drive member
(26,126) may also include a fixing surface (36,136) for fixing the
second body portion (14) at a chosen angle relative to the first
body portion (12) prior to application of the tag (10,100) to an
item.
Inventors: |
Eadie; Brian; (Selkirk,
GB) |
Family ID: |
40352570 |
Appl. No.: |
13/142298 |
Filed: |
December 30, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
December 30, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2009/051778 |
371 Date: |
September 21, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
235/492 ;
283/74 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K 11/002 20130101;
A01K 11/001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
235/492 ;
283/74 |
International
Class: |
G06K 19/077 20060101
G06K019/077; G09F 3/00 20060101 G09F003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 31, 2008 |
GB |
0823691.1 |
Claims
1. An identification tag comprising: a first body portion, a second
body portion and a web portion located between the first and second
body portions which permits the second body portion to be pivoted
relative to the first body portion; a drive member projecting from
the first body portion and having a drive surface adapted to be
driven, in use, by a tag loading mechanism of a tag applicator; and
a lock adapted to lock the free ends of the first and second body
portions together.
2. The tag of claim 1, wherein the first body portion has a first
end connected to the web portion, the first end having an upwardly
projecting rib extending transversely across the first body
portion.
3. The tag of either preceding claim, wherein the drive member
includes a fixing surface, wherein the second body portion is
adapted to be folded against the fixing surface and held by the
fixing surface at an angle relative to the first body portion of
the tag.
4. The tag of claim 3, wherein the drive member comprises a
substantially vertical planar member having an upper portion
projecting from an upper surface of the tag, and a lower portion
projecting from a lower surface of the tag, and wherein the fixing
surface is formed on the upper portion of the drive member.
5. The tag of claim 4, wherein the upper portion of the drive
member includes a tooth upon which the fixing surface is provided,
and wherein the second portion of the tag is adapted to be folded
over the tooth and held by the fixing surface at an angle relative
to the first portion of the tag.
6. The tag of claim 5, wherein the second body portion includes a
resilient catch portion which is held by the tooth when the second
body portion is folded past the tooth.
7. The tag of either claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the fixing surface
holds the second body portion of the tag in a friction fit.
8. The tag of any of claims 3 to 7, wherein the fixing surface, in
use, holds the second body portion at an angle of between 90 and
170 degrees relative to the first body portion.
9. The tag of any of claims 3 to 8, wherein the fixing surface, in
use, holds the second body portion at an angle of between 120 and
150 degrees relative to the first body portion.
10. The tag of any preceding claim, wherein at least part of the
web portion has a thickness which is less than that of either the
first or second body portions.
11. The tag of any preceding claim, wherein the body portions and
the web portion are integrally formed.
12. The tag of any preceding claim, wherein the lock comprises a
projection formed on the second body portion, and an aperture on
the first body portion which is adapted to receive the
projection.
13. The tag of claim 12, wherein the projection includes a pointed
tip adapted to penetrate an item to which the tag is being
attached.
14. The tag of any preceding claim, further comprising a
transponder adapted to emit an identification signal.
15. The tag of claim 14, wherein the transponder is located in the
first body portion.
Description
[0001] The present invention is directed to the field of
identification tags. Although not limited to this particular use,
the tags of the present invention are particularly suited to use in
agriculture as an effective way of identifying livestock.
[0002] Single-piece identification tags are known in the art. These
tags are typically manufactured from either metal or a plastics
material. They are conventionally formed flat with a protruding pin
member at one end and an aperture at the opposite end for receiving
the pin member. The pin has a ridge or step that is slightly wider
than both the remainder of the pin and the diameter of the
aperture. When the tag is to be attached to an item it is folded in
half so that at least a portion of the pin passes through the
aperture, and the ridge portion of the pin is pushed through the
aperture. The ridge portion cannot pass back through the aperture
and so the pin is locked in the aperture and the tag is securely
fixed to the item. Such tags are normally applied using a tag
applicator having a pair of jaws in which the tag is inserted
before attachment to an item. The jaws of the applicator can
typically open to a maximum angle of 90 degrees or thereabouts so
that a flat tag can be folded into the jaws. The applicator
operates in the same manner as a pair of pliers or other similar
hand-operated device, with an operator squeezing a lever or handle
in order to press the jaws towards one another. Pressing the jaws
together folds and locks the tag in the manner described above.
[0003] Some tag applicators employ automatic or semi-automatic
loading mechanisms which present each new tag directly into the
applicator jaws for application. Such loading mechanisms typically
use a biasing means to push a set of tags towards the jaws of the
applicator. However, the force applied by the biasing means to the
tags often resulted in the tags twisting and jamming the loading
mechanism before they reached the applicator jaws. To solve this
problem, applicators can alternatively employ a loading mechanism
which does not apply a constant force to the tags in the mechanism.
One such example is a rotating gear wheel and ratchet arrangement,
where the teeth of the gear wheel enter apertures in the tags to
push the tags towards the applicator jaws as the gear wheel is
rotated. However, it is possible in such an arrangement that the
gear teeth will enter the gaps between successive tags in the
loading mechanism instead of the apertures in the tags themselves.
This can lead to tags being only partially loaded into the jaws,
again jamming the loading and application mechanism.
[0004] A further problem with tags which are formed substantially
flat and then folded to fit into the jaws of the applicator is that
a significant amount of hand movement is required for the operator
to close the jaws of the applicator and fold the resilient tag.
This leaves little hand movement available to actually attach the
tag to something, where the pin usually must penetrate the item to
which the tag is being attached. One solution to this problem has
been to pre-fold the tag so that the respective portions of the tag
having the pin and aperture are at an angle of less than 90 degrees
prior to being placed in the applicator jaws. Whilst this partial
pre-folding leaves more of the available hand movement for actually
attaching the tag, the partly folded tag can inhibit the view of
the operator in the moments prior to attaching the tag. Without
having a clear view of the area of the item to which they are
attempting to fix the tag, the operator may inadvertently attach
the tag in the wrong location, or the tag may not be properly
attached to the item so that it may fall off later.
[0005] A solution to this problem has been to form the tags so that
they already bent to an angle of between 90 and 180 degrees. This
also ensures that less hand movement is required to fold the tag to
a point where it is ready for attachment, but also ensures that the
operator has a clearer view of the item immediately prior to
attaching the tag than if the tag were pre-folded to less than 90
degrees. This type of tag can be manufactured from either metal or
plastics, but there are inherent problems in forming the tags from
either material. Metal tags of this type are usual formed in a
press which provides the necessary angle between the portions of
the tag. However, it has been found that the angle provided can be
inconsistent when pressing the tags in this way. Similarly, plastic
tags of this type are formed in a mould. Although the mould tool
presents a specific angle of bend, once the tags are removed from
the mould they can set at a different angle depending on the
ambient conditions outside the mould. Furthermore, tags formed from
different materials in the same mould can also set at different
angles, due to the varying properties of the materials.
[0006] These inconsistencies in the manufacture process mean that
each individual tag could potentially be formed with a different
angle between the two portions of the tag. In addition, any
features designed into the tags to assist the folding (e.g.
transverse kinks, sections having a reduced cross sectional area)
may also vary with the ambient conditions or selected material.
Such inconsistencies mean that the operator may need to apply a
different application force for every tag, and/or that the portions
of the tag may not correctly align or locate with one another
during application. This inconsistency is also a problem for
multi-tag applicators which are designed to sequentially load and
attach a number of tags from a tag guide or cassette. The variation
in bend can mean that the tags do not sit properly in the cassette
or the guide. This can cause the loading mechanism to jam during
operation.
[0007] It is an aim of the present invention to obviate or mitigate
one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages.
[0008] According to the present invention, there is provided an
identification tag comprising: [0009] a first body portion, a
second body portion and a web portion located between the first and
second body portions which permits the second body portion to be
pivoted relative to the first body portion; [0010] a drive member
projecting from the first body portion and having a drive surface
adapted to be driven, in use, by a tag loading mechanism of a tag
applicator; and [0011] a lock adapted to lock the free ends of the
first and second body portions together.
[0012] The first body portion may have a first end connected to the
web portion, the first end having an upwardly projecting rib
extending transversely across the first body portion.
[0013] The drive member may include a fixing surface, wherein the
second body portion is adapted to be folded against the fixing
surface and held by the fixing surface at an angle relative to the
first body portion of the tag.
[0014] The fixing surface may hold the second portion of the tag in
a friction fit. That is, friction between the second portion of the
tag and the fixing surface holds the second portion of the tag at
an angle relative to the first portion of the tag.
[0015] The web portion may include an opening into which the drive
member projects from the first body portion.
[0016] At least part of the web portion may have a thickness which
is less than that of either the first or second body portions.
[0017] The drive member may comprise a substantially vertical
planar member having an upper portion projecting from an upper
surface of the tag, and a lower portion projecting from a lower
surface of the tag. The fixing surface may be formed on the upper
portion of the drive member.
[0018] Alternatively, the drive member may form a tooth upon which
the fixing surface is provided, wherein the second portion of the
tag is adapted to be folded over the tooth and held by the fixing
surface at an angle relative to the first portion of the tag.
[0019] The second body portion of the tag may include a resilient
catch portion which is held by the tooth when the second body
portion is folded past the tooth.
[0020] The tooth may project from the upper portion of the drive
member.
[0021] The fixing surface may, in use, hold the second body portion
at an angle of between 90 and 170 degrees relative to the first
body portion. The fixing surface may hold the second body portion
at an angle of between 120 and 150 degrees relative to the first
body portion.
[0022] The first and second body portions and the web portion may
be integrally formed.
[0023] The lock may comprise a projection formed on the second body
portion, and an aperture on the first body portion which is adapted
to receive the projection. The projection may include a pointed tip
adapted to penetrate an item to which the tag is being
attached.
[0024] The tag may include a transponder adapted to emit an
identification signal. The transponder may be located in the first
body portion.
[0025] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be
described, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a projected view of a first embodiment of an
identification tag;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a side view of the tag of FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a top view of the tag of FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0029] FIG. 4 is a projected view of a second embodiment of an
identification tag;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a side view of the tag of FIG. 4; and
[0031] FIG. 6 is a top view of the tag of FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0032] FIGS. 1-3 show views of an identification tag, generally
designated 10. The tag 10 comprises first and second elongate body
portions 12,14 which are preferably integrally formed and
substantially co-planar when formed. Located at the end of the
first body portion 12 remote from the second body portion 14 is a
locking aperture 22. As best seen in FIG. 2, the underside of the
first body portion 12 includes an annular lip, or guard, 24 which
projects from the underside of the tag 10 and encompasses the
locking aperture 22.
[0033] The second body portion 14 includes a projection 16 located
at the end of the second body portion 14 remote from the first body
portion 12. As best seen in FIG. 2, the projection 16 comprises an
upper part 17 and a lower part 19. The upper and lower parts 17,19
are each provided with complimentary fastening means, such as
snap-fitting male and female connectors (not shown), which allow
the two parts 17,19 to be attached to one another. A locating
aperture (not shown) is provided at the remote end of the second
body portion 14, and the two parts 17,19 of the projection are
connected to one another through the locating aperture so that the
projection 16 is held in place. The upper part 17 has a pointed tip
18, at least a portion of which has a larger diameter than that of
a portion of the upper part 17 which is immediately adjacent the
tip 18. As a result, a ridge 20 is formed at the point where the
tip 18 meets the remainder of the upper part 17. The locking
aperture 22 in the first body portion 12 has a diameter which is
less than the diameter of the widest portion of the tip 18 of the
projection 16.
[0034] The tag 10 further comprises a web portion 13 which is
located between the first and second body portions 12,14 and
permits pivoting of the first and second body portions 12,14
relative to one another. The first and second body portions 12,14
and the web portion 13 are preferably integrally formed and
substantially co-planar when formed. As a result, the tag 10 is
substantially flat when formed and ready for use. As best seen in
FIG. 2, the web portion 13 of this preferred embodiment has a
reduced thickness compared with the first and second body portions
12,14.
[0035] The tag 10 also comprises a drive member 26 which projects
from the first body portion 12. The tag 10 also comprises an
elongate slot, or opening, 28 into which the drive member 26
projects from the first body portion 12. The opening 28 is
primarily located within the web portion 13. However, the second
body portion 14 includes an edge, or lip, 38 which defines one end
of the opening 28. The drive member 26 shown in this embodiment
lies in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the plane
of the first and second body portions 12,14 and the web portion 13.
As a result of this arrangement, an upper portion 30 of the drive
member 26 lies above the upper surface of the tag 10, and a lower
portion 32 of the drive member 26 lies below the underside of the
tag 10, as can be seen in FIG. 2. The upper portion 30 of the drive
member 26 includes a fixing surface 36 for supporting the second
body portion 14 of the tag 10, as will be described further below.
The lower portion 32 of the drive member 26 presents a drive
surface upon which a loading mechanism of a tag applicator can act
to load the tag(s) into the applicator.
[0036] As best viewed in FIG. 3, the drive member 26 is fixed to
the first body portion 12 of the tag 10 where the first body
portion 12 meets the web portion 13. The drive member 26 is not
attached to either the second body portion 14 or the web portion
13, and lies within the opening 28 in such a way that it does not
contact the second body portion 14 or web portion 13 when the tag
10 is in the initial position shown in FIGS. 1-3. Consequently, the
drive member 26 is only fixed relative to the first body portion
12.
[0037] On the opposite side of the opening from the edge 38 is an
upwardly projecting rib 21. The rib 21 extends upwardly from the
surface of the first body portion 12 at a point proximate where the
first body portion 12 and web portion 13 meet. The rib 21 extends
transversely across the first body portion 12.
[0038] The manner in which the tag 10 is used will now be
described, again with reference to FIGS. 1-3. Firstly, the first
and second body portions 12,14 and web portion 13 of the tag 10 are
formed. The tag 10 is preferably formed from a resilient plastics
material, and the various portions of the tag are preferably formed
by a suitable moulding process. The drive member 26 can be
integrally formed with the remainder of the tag 10 during the
moulding process, or it may alternatively be formed separately and
then fixed to the first body portion 12. Once the various portions
of the tag 10 have been formed, the projection 16 can be fixed in
the locating aperture in the second body portion 14 using the
snap-fit connection described above. The tags 10 can be formed
individually, but production will be more efficient where groups of
tags 10 are formed, with each tag 10 attached to an adjacent tag in
the group by a spine (not shown) or the like. Once these forming
steps have been taken, the tag 10 is ready for application to an
item.
[0039] In the application process, the tag 10 will be placed into
the jaws of an applicator. Applicators can either be single tag
applicators in which each tag is placed individually in the jaws by
an operator, or multi tag applicators in which a set of tags will
be placed in a loading mechanism and then automatically or
semi-automatically fed into the jaws of the applicator one after
another. In either instance, the tags 10 are prepared for
application by folding the tag 10 about the web portion 13 so that
the second body portion 14 pivots relative to the first body
portion 12. With the single tag applicator the initial folding will
be carried out by hand. With the multi tag applicator having an
automatic or semi-automatic tag loading mechanism, a specially
shaped guide mechanism can be employed in order to fold the tags as
they are pushed towards the jaws of the applicator. Alternatively,
the tags can be folded by hand and then loaded into a conventional
guide mechanism which does not itself fold the tags.
[0040] As described above, neither the second body portion 14 nor
the web portion 13 are fixed to the drive member 26. As a result,
the leading edge 38 of the second body portion 12 will rise up the
drive member 26 as the second body portion 14 is folded. Once the
edge 38 passes over the top of the upper portion 30 of the drive
member 26 the second body portion 14 is prevented from returning to
its starting position as the edge 38 is held on the fixing surface
36. The fixing surface 36 holds the second body portion 14 at an
angle relative to the first body portion 12. The fixing surface 36
preferably holds the second body portion 14 at an angle of between
90 and 170 degrees relative to the first body portion 12, and most
preferably at an angle of between 120 and 150 degrees. The fixing
surface 36 therefore prevents the resilient tag 10 from returning
the second body portion 14 to its initial position once the folding
operation has taken place.
[0041] The folded tags 10 can then be applied to an item with a
consistent angle between the first and second body portions 12,14.
Where the tags 10 are to be applied by a multi tag applicator with
an automatic/semi-automatic loading mechanism, the lower part 32 of
the drive member 26 is used as a drive surface for the loading
mechanism to push each subsequent tag into the applicator jaws.
[0042] When the tag is in the applicator jaws ready to be applied
to an item, it is normal for the jaw holding the first body portion
12 to remain fixed while the jaw holding the second body portion 14
pivots relative to the other jaw in order to fold the body portions
12,14 together. As the second body portion 14 and web portion 13
pivot relative to the first body portion 12 under the action of the
applicator jaws, they will come into contact with the transverse
rib 21. Consequently, continued pivoting movement of the web
portion 13 and the immediately adjacent section of the second body
portion 14 is resisted by the rib 21 whilst the remainder of the
second body portion 14 and the projection 16 continue to be pressed
towards the first body portion 12 by the applicator jaws. The
resistance of the rib 21 helps fold the remainder of the second
body portion 14 through almost 180 degrees relative to the first
body portion 12, whilst at the same time helping the operator to
keep control of the tag in the applicator jaws. When the second
body portion 14 reaches this point the pointed tip 18 of the
projection 16 will enter the aperture 22. As the folding motion
continues the ridge 20 will pass through the aperture 22 and come
out on the underside of the first body portion 12. As the ridge 20
is wider than the aperture 22, it cannot pass back through the
aperture 22. The projection 16 and aperture 22 therefore lock the
two body portions 12,14 together. Once through the aperture 22, the
tip 18 of the projection does not project beyond the guard 24.
Consequently, the guard 24 ensures that the tip 18 cannot catch on
anything once the tag is applied.
[0043] Depending on the item to which the tag is being applied, the
body portions 12,14 can either sandwich part of the item between
them, or else the tip 18 of the projection 16 can be forced through
a portion of the item under the action of the applicator jaws
immediately before the tip 18 enters the aperture 22. Whichever
attachment method is used, the tag will be securely attached to the
item which is to be identified once the tip 18 passes through the
aperture 22.
[0044] A second embodiment of an identification tag according to
the present invention is shown in FIGS. 4-6. Except for where
specifically stated, the features of the second embodiment are
identical to those described above in respect of the first
embodiment, and consequently those features share the same
reference numbers.
[0045] The tag of the second embodiment, which is generally
designated 100, comprises a drive member 126 which projects from
the first body portion 12. The tag 100 also comprises an elongate
slot, or opening, 28 into which the drive member 126 projects from
the first body portion 12. The opening 28 is primarily located
within the web portion 13. However, the second body portion 14
includes a resilient catch 138 which defines one end of the opening
28. The drive member 126 shown in this embodiment lies in a plane
which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the first and
second body portions 12,14 and the web portion 13. As a result of
this arrangement, an upper portion 130 of the drive member 126 lies
above the upper surface of the tag 100, and a lower portion 132 of
the drive member 126 lies below the underside of the tag 100, as
can be seen in FIG. 5.
[0046] Projecting upwards from the upper portion 130 of the drive
member 126 is a tooth 134. The tooth 134 includes a fixing surface
136 which lies in a plane which is at an angle A relative to the
planar upper surface of the first body portion 12. The fixing
surface 136 is formed so that the angle A is preferably between 90
and 170 degrees, and most preferably between 120 and 150
degrees.
[0047] As best viewed in FIG. 6, the drive member 126 is fixed to
the first body portion 12 of the tag 100 where the first body
portion 12 meets the web portion 13. Hence, the angle A between
fixing surface 136 and upper surface of the first body portion 12
remains substantially constant. The drive member 126 is not
attached to either the second body portion 14 or the web portion
13, and lies within the opening 28 in such a way that it does not
contact the second body portion 14 or web portion 13 when the tag
100 is in the initial position shown in FIG. 4-6. Consequently, the
drive member 126 is only fixed relative to the first body portion
12.
[0048] The manner in which the tag 100 is used will now be
described, again with reference to FIGS. 4-6. Firstly, the first
and second body portions 12,14 and web portion 13 of the tag 10 are
formed in the same manner as described above with respect to the
first embodiment ready for application by a tag applicator. As with
the tags of the first embodiment, the tags 100 are folded about the
web portion 13 so that the second body portion 14 pivots relative
to the first body portion 12, either by hand or by way of the
specially shaped guide mechanism of an automatic or semi-automatic
applicator.
[0049] As described above, neither the second body portion 14 nor
the web portion 13 are fixed to the drive member 126. As a result,
the resilient catch 138 of the second body portion 12 will rise up
the drive member 126 as the second body portion 14 is folded. Once
the catch 138 passes over the top of the tooth 134 the second body
portion 14 is prevented from returning towards its starting
position as the catch 138 is held on the fixing surface 136 of the
tooth 134. As the fixing surface 136 is at an angle A relative to
the upper surface of the first body portion 12, the fixing surface
136 holds the second body portion 14 at the angle A relative to the
first body portion 12. With the preferred ranges of angle A
referred to above, the fixing surface 136 preferably holds the
second body portion 14 at an angle of between 90 and 170 degrees
relative to the first body portion 12, and most preferably at an
angle of between 120 and 150 degrees. The fixing surface 136
therefore holds the second body portion at the desired angle
relative to the first body portion, and prevents the second body
portion 14 from returning towards its initial position once the
folding operation has taken place.
[0050] The folded tags 100 can then be applied to an item with a
consistent angle between the first and second body portions 12,14.
Where the tags 100 are to be applied by a multi tag applicator with
an automatic/semi-automatic loading mechanism, the lower part 132
of the drive member 126 is used as a drive surface for the loading
mechanism to push each subsequent tag into the applicator jaws.
What happens to the tag 100 during the application process is as
described above with respect to the first embodiment.
[0051] As it is provided with an angle between the first and second
body portions of between 90 and 170 degrees, the identification tag
of the present invention requires less force to apply it to an
item. More importantly, by providing a fixing surface on the tag to
hold one body portion at the desired angle relative to the other
body portion, the angle between the body portions is consistently
achieved. Therefore, the operator can consistently apply the same
force to attach the tag. Furthermore, with each tag having a
consistent angle of bend, multiple tags can be loaded into a multi
tag applicator without the risk that one or more tags will jam in
the loading mechanism. The applicant has determined that whilst an
angle of between 90 and 170 degrees between the body portions will
provide a tag which is easier to apply than flat tags or tags bent
over 90 degrees, the optimum angle between the two body portions is
between 120 and 150 degrees. An angle in this range offers the best
compromise between reduction in application force and a clear view
of the target area.
[0052] A further benefit of the present tag when used in multi tag
applicators is that the portion of the drive member which projects
underneath the tag acts as a single drive surface for the loading
mechanism of the applicator. With a specific drive surface to act
upon rather than a slot in the tag, the loading mechanism cannot
mistake a gap between two tags for the slot, which can cause a
misfeed of the tag into the applicator jaws.
[0053] If present, the transverse rib on the first body portion
assists in the folding of the tag and at the same time provides a
resistance against the web and second body portions of the tag.
This means that the second body portion and projection thereon
remain against, and under the control of, the pivoting applicator
jaw during application. Consequently, the tags will not fall out of
the jaws during application.
[0054] Where the projection provided on the second body portion is
in the two-part form described above, it may be formed from a
different material to the first body portion. Alternatively, the
projection may be integrally formed with the first body portion, or
else it may be a single part attached to the second body
portion.
[0055] Where the tag must penetrate the item being tagged, which is
particularly common in livestock applications, the preferred lock
for the tag is the combination of pointed projection and locking
aperture described above. However, where the tag has only to
sandwich or clamp around a portion of an item, an alternative lock
may be used instead. For example, the remote end of the second body
portion may have a longitudinally extending catch which locates in
a corresponding clasp at the remote end of the first body portion
when the tag is folded over to 180 degrees or thereabouts.
[0056] Although it is preferable that the first and second body
portions and web portion of the tag are integrally formed from a
single piece of material, the present invention is not limited to
this arrangement. The various portions could be formed separately
and attached to one another using appropriate attachment means.
Whilst the tag is preferably formed from a resilient plastics
material, it may alternatively be formed from another material
having suitable properties. The alternative material may be a metal
such as stainless steel.
[0057] In a simplified embodiment of the present invention, the tag
of the present invention may comprise a drive member which only
projects from the lower surface of the tag. The face of the drive
member acts as a drive surface upon which a loading mechanism of a
tag applicator can act to load the tag(s). In this case the drive
member does not need to include an upper portion with a fixing
surface.
[0058] When present, the fixing surface of the drive member may not
be provided by a projecting tooth, upper surface or corner of the
drive member. Instead, the fixing surface may be on one or both
sides of the upper portion of the drive member, which face in
directions substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of
the tag. In this instance, when the tag was folded the second body
portion of the tag would be held against the fixing surface(s) on
the sides of the drive member by friction. In this alternative
arrangement, the second body portion may therefore be held against
the fixing surface at any desired angle between 90 and 170 degrees
instead of the fixed angles obtained with the preferred embodiments
described above.
[0059] Where necessary, the tag may include a transponder adapted
to emit a specific identification signal. The transponder may be
located in the first body portion of the tag.
[0060] Whilst the provision of the transverse rib on the first body
portion and the reduced thickness of the web portion may
individually and collectively assist in the folding of the body
portions of the tag, it should be understood that neither of these
features is essential to the operation of the present invention.
The present invention is therefore not limited to an identification
tag where one or both of these features is present.
[0061] These and other modifications and improvements may be
incorporated without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
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